Montréal, February 12, 2016 – Today the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal held a Strategic Forum on skills for the future entitled “It’s a Changing World: Let’s Get Ready for the Jobs of the Future,” with Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity François Blais in attendance.
More than 300 decision makers gathered to discuss the best strategies for businesses, government and schools to close the gap between corporate needs and the training available to better prepare for the future and generate more wealth for the city.
Montréal has incredible strategic assets
There was unprecedented mobilization in the community for today’s Forum, thanks in part to the Bureau de coopération interuniversitaire, Montréal’s CEGEPs and Éducation Montréal, the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal, the Conseil emploi métropole, the Ministère de l’Économie, de la Science et de l’Innovation and the Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur. “Montréal has what it takes to give local businesses access to qualified labour and help them make their mark on the international scene: quality schools, creative businesses and the government’s commitment to the challenge of ensuring training is in line with employment,” said Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal. “Cooperation among all partners is essential to effectively tackle the challenge of ensuring training matches jobs.”
The goal: sustainably increase the number of graduates
“The message communicated by the 19 speakers at the Forum was clear: the existing system responds to current needs, but we need to rethink our model to start preparing the people who will hold the jobs of the future,” said Michel Leblanc. “Increasing the number of graduates and training that reflects the skills of tomorrow are essential to improving education and career opportunities.”
“The Board of Trade also heard the needs expressed by schools to increase the effectiveness of the training they offer and encourages businesses to open their doors wider to students by offering more internships,” said Michel Leblanc. “Early contact between students and their future working environment ensures they are adequately prepared for work and the challenges that await them.”
Other solutions were proposed, including:
- ensuring schools are more agile and proactive so that they can more easily adapt to upheavals in the job market;
- relying on models that have been proven at home as well as internationally, such as in Switzerland and Germany;
- valuing technical and vocational training to respond to current and future needs of the city’s businesses.
The Forum was made possible by the invaluable cooperation of our Gold sponsor, the Fonds de solidarité FTQ, our Silver sponsor, the Montreal Gazette, and our Bronze sponsor, Le Devoir.
About the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is made up of over 7,000 members. Its mission is to be the voice of Montréal’s business community and to promote the city’s prosperity. It is involved in key areas of economic development, advocating a philosophy of action based on engagement, credibility, proactivity, collaboration, and innovation. The Board of Trade also offers a range of specialized services to individuals and to businesses of all sizes to support them in their growth at home and abroad.
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Source:
Guillaume Bérubé
Advisor, Media Relations
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Phone: 514 871-4000, extension 4042
gberube@ccmm.qc.ca
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